I like to follow the rule of thirds. It is aesthetically pleasing. However, in this situation, I'm trying to figure out if the 1/3 point is the rod itself or the distance from the top of the panel to the ceiling. The difference is not that great, but could, I suppose, throw things off. Let me see if I can explain what I'm talking about. The distance between the top of the window casing and the ceiling is 14". One third of that is 4.66". The distance from the floor to the top of the window casing is 80". If I use the 84" panels and allow for about 1/2" clearance at the bottom, the top of the panel would be about 4 1/2" from the ceiling. BUT, if I want the rod to be 4 1/2" from the ceiling, then I need to purchase the 95" panels and shorten them and the top of the panel ends up about 6 1/2" from the ceiling! Does this make any sense? WWYD??? Now, let me show you what I think I'm going to use for the rod. Does it blend in with the wall enough? And which of these two colors do you think I should use? The one draped over the sofa is SAND and the other that I didn't bother to unfold from the way it was packaged (sorry about that) is IVORY. If you'd like to see the IVORY opened up, I can do that. SO MANY DECISIONS! I don't know why my pictures are larger than usual. I swear I resized them the same as all the others. Sorry.

I like the new color, and how well it blends with your walls, particularly in a room that is on the small side. However, I think since they are closed all the time, you should give serious consideration to having the panels pleated, and using hooks at the back of the pleats to raise the top edge up to the base of the rings, so that they fit the space exactly, and hang flat and true. The honest answer is, they look messy and half-hearted, and I know you are neither messy nor half-hearted yourself! Just adding more rings won't really solve the problem.

In an "L" shaped living/dining combo, there needs to be some continuity which is usually achieved by using the same or similar paint color in both (ie-a darker version in the dining room and lighter in living room). Honestly, I am having trouble visualizing a tan/gold in one and gray in the other. Tan and gray are difficult to do together well unless you truly have a designer's eye. You would normally pick one or the other as your neutral. Sticking to one color or different shades of the same color makes the rooms seems more cohesive and larger. That being said, the window treatments should definitely be the same throughout the 2 spaces. All windows within a given room should be dressed alike and all windows within an open area concept that are visible at the same time should be dressed alike. The exception would be for instance a kitchen window over the sink that of course you wouldn't put drapes up to! If you go with tone on tone, meaning solid drapes that are the same color as your wall color, it creates the illusion of a larger space and is very elegant looking. If space isn't an issue and you want the room to appear more colorful and playful, you would contrast the wall color and drapery color. From your description, it sounds like rust colored drapes might be the way to go. Be sure to hang them floor to ceiling for the most impact and to make your ceilings seem taller. I like natural shades such as bamboo or jute. they add texture and are a more updated look than say, miniblinds. Here is a pic with rust/burnt orange drapes just as food for thought.

kmcg85, I saw that thread and thought, gee, those look familiar. ;-) Yours look gorgeous, too! Nice to see the drapes paired with another wall color. Love the saloon sign. I was tempted by the matching shades, too, but I've decided that adding a band of the fabric (I'm taking apart a panel to do this) to the top of the silk Dupioni drapes I bought ages ago from PB for the LR will be enough. Well, maybe. I also need to have a half-moon valance made for the window above our entry. I have an extra silk panel I intend to use for that area and I might add a band of the print along the bottom edge. Or maybe 3 vertical bands. Or maybe ... I'm still mulling possibilities but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of adding a bit of this fabric to the entry valance. Are you crafty? What if you added a band of the fabric at the bottom of the shades you already own? They sell 24" pillows in this fabric so you wouldn't need to buy a whole panel for this small job. Or maybe add a band of trim that is the same color as the background of the drapes? Perhaps crazy ideas but what the heck. Sometimes, great ideas sprout from crazy ideas. schoolhouse, the holidays' craziness will make the time fly by. Before you know it, your panels will be here.